St Peter

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History
of the Church

The earliest record
of this village is that in 666AD certain lands here were endowed
to the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter's at Chertsey. From the
Domesday Book of 1086 we learn that there was a church in the
village at that time, but of that Saxon church nothing now
remains.

Surprisingly, the
name Petersham is not derived from St Peter, for in Saxon times,
before the Norman conquest, it was called Piterichesham which
means a home or enclosure of Patricius or Patrick. However, by the
sixteenth century the village was commonly known as Petersham.

In 1266 a Norman
church was built of which only part of the chancel is left.

In 1505 the church
was rebuilt except for the chancel, and in about 1600 small
transepts and a north gallery were added.

Early in the 17th
century north and south transepts were built and also the tower at
the west of the church. The gallery in the north transept was
added shortly afterwards. In 1790 the west porch and vestry were
added and the upper half of the tower rebuilt. The gallery at the
west end was probably erected about 1800 and originally used by
the musicians.

In 1840 further
enlargements were made which included extending the south transept
and widening it on the west side, the construction of galleries in
that transept and an enclosed staircase leading to them.

In 1899 a chancel
screen was erected, but in 1972 this was removed, together with
two box pews obscuring the altar. The altar step was extended
forward and the present rail provided.

In layout the church is much
wider than it is long, owing to the position of the road
outside.

GALLERY

The west gallery, looking into the chancel.
Note the north gallery and the position of the pulpit.

WEST
GALLERY FITTINGS

The general impression of the church is made
by the retention of the Georgian box-pews. Only a few survive
in such an entirety, and none closer to London than at
Petersham. A fee used to be charged for each family pew, but
there were not enough to seat all the members of the parish,
and one vicar in georgian times noted that parishioners were
"constantly complaining of the injustice of their being
obliged to contribute to the Church rates, without the power
of obtaining a sitting in the church". Pew fees,
however, were long since abolished.

The font dates from 1740, and has an
attractive Jacobean cover.

The pulpit was made in 1796 by a local
carpenter, John Long, and retains the original candle-holders.

The Vicar's desk probably dates from the same
year as the pulpit and may well have formed part of an earlier
three-decker which was dismantled at that time.

The Royal Arms under the chancel arch are
those of George III, and date from 1810. The adjacent shields
represent St Peter and the Dioceses of Canterbury and
Rochester.

The lower part of the tower dates from 1505.
In about 1800 a choir and a small group of musicians were
accommodated in the lower part of the tower and the gallery
above. In 1838 a barrel Organ was installed in the same
gallery, made by J C Bishop. This had three barrels, each
containing 10 hymn tunes. Ten years later a fourth barrel was
purchased.

In 1853 this instrument was enlarged by
Bishop, into one of two manuals and pedals, and soon
afterwards this was moved to near its present position. It was
again altered in 1914 by Speechly, who made the present case,
and again in 1976. However, in 1981 Bishop's original
specification was restored and some of their original pipework
remains. In 1988 an electric action with a detachable console
was installed and two new ranks of pipes added by Hill, Norman
and beard.

More detailed information about the church can
be found by reading the history of St Peter's Church,
Petersham, Surrey by Charles D Warren (sidgwick and
Jackson, 1938)

The uniform and staff of the former parish
beadle are on display in the Museum of Richmond.

APOLOGIES FOR THE QUALITY OF THE
PICTURES!!
EXTERNAL & INTERNAL PICTURES REQUIRED PLEASE!!

The Bells:

ACCESS

Go to Richmond station by
either overland or underground train, and take a 65
or 71 bus from the station forecourt to 'The Dysarts'
public house in Petersham. Cross the road, walk on
and take the lane to the right. The church is kept
locked, but are obtainable from nearby houses which
are listed in the church porch.